SAIT Polytechnic
SAIT is Canada's premier polytechnic. This publicly funded institute of advanced technology based in Calgary provides relevant, skill-oriented education to foster the career ambitions of our students and to support the nation's economy. Programming areas include business and tourism, construction, energy, health and public safety, information and communications technologies, manufacturing and automation, and transportation.
Established in 1916, SAIT is the first institute of its kind in Canada. Career training is provided to more than 70,000 registrants by 1,900 faculty and staff with a budget of $215 million. SAIT offers four applied degrees, 60 diploma and certificate programs, 33 apprenticeship programs and 2,100 continuing education and customized business and industry courses. Transfer agreements with educational institutes in Canada and overseas provide SAIT graduates with an opportunity to further their credentials.
A growing area of academic service is in the international market. SAIT is delivering training in 19 countries and has campuses in three. These include two campuses in Kazakhstan and one each in Abu Dhabi and China.
SAIT is in the vanguard to meet the growing skilled labour shortage. We work closely with business, industry and the government to enhance our capacity to train the talented and knowledgeable graduates needed by the Canadian economy. SAIT works with its colleagues in secondary and post-secondary education to make our collective efforts as efficient as possible. We align ourselves so that we can provide training to our students, where and when they-and industry-need it.
SAIT programs are well thought of because they are designed with employers in mind. More than 1,000 business professionals provide advice and guidance on 65 program advisory committees. In addition, the Board of Governors hosts three Chairman's Circle meetings per year. More than 70 business and community leaders provide insight on economic, technological and societal trends in their respective fields and how they may affect SAIT programming.
This comprehensive advisory system explains why SAIT enjoys one of the best graduate employment records in Canada-an average of 97 per cent over the last five years. This impressive record also reflects the numerous partnerships the Institute has with leading national and international companies. These partnerships have also led to the establishment of 11 Centres of Technology Development, many of them unique in Canada. These specialized facilities ensure SAIT graduates have the excellent skills required to realize their career ambitions and in turn make up the superior workforce required by the economy.
At SAIT, students don't just learn about things, they learn how to do things.

Irene Lewis
Irene Lewis
President and CEO
Phone: 403-284-8581
Fax: 403-284-8940
Post: 1301 - 16 Avenue N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2M 0L4
Qualifications
Distinguished educational background encompassing both the K-12 and post-secondary systems, as well as service to international, federal, provincial and municipal governments in advisory capacities.
Contributions to education in three provinces and two continents.
Recognition of contributions:
- Canadian Governor General's Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal
- Gold Premier's Award of Excellence
- Alberta Centennial Medal
- University of Alberta bestowed an Alumni Honour Award for her service to education
- Recognized by the Alberta Business Magazine Power List of 2003
- Recognized as one of the 50 Greatest Albertans by Alberta Venture Magazine
Areas of Responsibility
Since 1998, has led the transformation of SAIT Polytechnic, which impacts over 70,000 learners per year.
Professional Background
- Began her academic career teaching grade one in Northern Alberta
- Her career journey has encompassed both the K-12 and post secondary systems, as well as service to international, federal, provincial and municipal governments in advisory capacities
- Seconded from Alberta to Singapore for a period of six years to assist that country in developing its workforce using the Alberta model as a guide to lead that country's present and future development. Has since brought what she considers the Alberta model to other countries as evidence of this province's forward-thinking attitude
- President and CEO of two Alberta post-secondary institutions
- Present position - President and CEO of SAIT Polytechnic
Membership & Networks
- United Way Cabinet
- Calgary Technologies Inc. - Board of Directors
- Habitat for Humanity - Board of Directors
- Adjunct Professor at the University of Alberta
- Post-secondary Presidents International Network
- Federal Judicial Advisory Committee
- Alberta Legislature Centre Redevelopment Advisory Committee
- Calgary Airport Business Advisory Council
- Major's Panel on Urban Sustainability
- Alberta Council for Western Economic Diversification
- eCampus Alberta - Board of Directors Chair
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta
- Skilled Trades Champion Program
- Alberta Economic Development Authority - Board of Management
(Chaired committees which produced two reports: "An Urgent Call to Action" and "Mega Project Excellence: Preparing for Alberta's Legacy
- an Action Plan") - Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Alberta

Dr Gord Nixon
Dr Gord Nixon
Vice President Academic
Phone: 403-284-8573
Fax: 403-284-8940
Post: 1301 - 16 Avenue N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2M 0L4
Qualifications
- Post Doctoral Work, Harvard Graduate School and the League for Innovations Executive Leadership Institute
- Ph.D. in Academic Leadership, University of Calgary (Doctoral research focused on academic capitalism and college leadership)
- Masters of Education in Adult and Community Education, University of Calgary
- Bachelor of Administration, Athabasca University
- Diploma in Human Resources, Mount Royal College
- Diploma in Telecommunications Engineering Technology
Areas of Responsibility
Provides academic and business development leadership to SAIT Polytechnic's domestic and international ventures.
Professional Background
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
- Dean of Information and Communications Technologies Department
- International Project Coordinator
- Led an award-winning project that established five telecommunications training schools in Thailand and specialized telecommunications training courses in Vietnam
- Enhanced education in Mexico, Taiwan, Chile, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China and Australia
- Faculty Member – Telecom Engineering Technology
Interests
- Director of Theatre Calgary
- Member of the Calgary United Way Campaign Cabinet
- Member of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce Business of the Arts Committee
- Provided and supported leadership to the Van Horne Institute, Calgary Minor Hockey, Calgary Minor Soccer, Uncles at Large, Toastmasters and the Calgary Jaycees
Membership & Networks
- Alberta Senior Academic Officers Committee
- eCampus Alberta
- Alberta On-Line Consortium
- Alberta Distance Education and Training Council
- Software Human Resource Council of Canada
- Pan Global Training Inc.
- Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer
- Canadian Apprentice Forum
Susan Radke
Executive Advisor, Office of the Vice President Academic
Phone: 403-284-8891
Fax: 403-284-8940
Post: 1301 - 16 Avenue N.W. Calgary, Alberta T2M 0L4
Qualifications
- B.A. (History) - University of Alberta
- LL.B. - Dalhousie University L
- L.M. - University of Alberta
- Master's Certificate in Project Management - University of Lethbridge
Areas of Responsibility
As part of her responsibilities in the VP Academic office, Susan coordinates Global Education Network activities on behalf of SAIT. This includes liaising with the other GEN partners, promoting GEN exchange opportunities to SAIT students and faculty, and recruiting SAIT participants for both short-term and semester-long exchanges to GEN partner institutions. She also provides support both for SAIT students visiting GEN partner institutions and for GEN students visiting SAIT, including support finding accommodation and setting up recreational, educational and cultural activities.
Professional Background
Susan has been at SAIT since 1993. Prior to coming to SAIT, she worked as a lawyer in the area of civil liberties and human rights. Most of her career at SAIT has been spent as the Academic Chair of the Legal Assistant and Administrative Information Management programs, in the School of Business. During this time, she taught many different law courses to students in the Legal Assistant program. In October, 2006, she changed positions at SAIT, and now works in the Office of the Vice President Academic.
Memberships
Susan was admitted to the Alberta Bar in 1986, and has been a member of the Law Society of Alberta since that time.